AHDB has published its latest call for new research projects, making funding of up to £1 million available for its postgraduate studentship programme.
 
The research call for around 15 PhD studentships opened earlier this month and applications will be open to all research institutes, universities and colleges to install students by the start of the 2016/17 academic year.
 
Applicants will be expected to show that their proposals meet the research priorities of at least one of the AHDB divisions taking part in the programme – Beef and Lamb, Cereals and Oilseeds, Horticulture, Dairy and Potatoes.
 
The aim of the AHDB studentship programme is to deliver useable scientific developments that are relevant to industry priorities. It is also firmly focused on the challenge to develop the next generation of technical experts for the agriculture and horticulture industries.
 
The latest call for new projects will close on 14 September 2015, with successful projects announced in January 2016. Historically funding a total of 15-20 new projects per year, and around 50-60 rolling projects at any one time, AHDB is looking to maintain the same scale of investment as in previous years.
 
“Supporting the next generation of scientists and delivering relevant and practical research to levy payers is an important part of AHDB’s long term strategy,” said Kim Matthews, Head of Research and Development for AHDB Beef and Lamb, and chair of the studentship programme.
 
“Many of our PhD students go on to develop successful careers in agriculture and horticultural research. We are looking for a high standard of applications that can demonstrate an understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing farmers, growers and processors.”
 
Full details on how to make an application to the AHDB studentship programme (including a PhD studentship proposal form and proposal guidelines) are available on the AHDB website.
 
For further information, or details of the contractual terms for these awards, applicants are invited to email studentships@ahdb.org.uk indicating which AHDB sector the query is addressed to in the subject heading.
 
Students with a project idea should discuss them with their institute/university/college in the first instance since AHDB does not accept applications directly from students.